Learning Styles and Physical Education A presentation brought to you by Jonathan Pavlack and the Randy Schwartz

The Question Since Physical Education is largely a kinesthetic based subject, some students struggle with motivation and performance. If a teacher incorporated consideration for all learning styles into their lessons, would student motivation and performance increase?

Hypothesis The researchers believe that effective consideration of learning styles in teaching Physical Education will have positive effects on motivation, participation and performance.

What are Learning Styles? Learning styles are the way individuals process new information The usual/characteristic manner in which a learner goes about the task of learning There are numerous theories that organize learning styles into different categories.

Kolb’s Theory of Multiple Intelligence Seven categories of learning styles Bodily/Kinesthetic Interpersonal Intrapersonal Logical/Mathematic Musical/Rhythmic Verbal/Linguistic Visual/Spatial

Dunn and Dunn Five categories 1.Environmental 2.Emotional 3.Sociological 4.Physical 5.Psychological

Modality Breakdown Visual Learner Kinesthetic Learner The “Thinker” The “Listener”

Cheryl A. Coker “One of teachers goals is to make the learning process as efficient as possible. To accomplish this, we must recognize individual learning styles.” Studies have shown in subjects such as reading, math and science increased achievement has been linked to instructional strategies that accommodate individual learning styles. Learning styles shift depending on whether the environment involves a cognitive task or a motor task. Greater learning gains can be achieved by accommodating an individual’s learning style. Failing to alter the strategy or modality through which instructions and feedback are presented denies students equal learning opportunities.

Statt, Plummer, and Marinelli Learning style application in lesson plans has proven to be a useful tool for increasing student retention and overall understanding of the material. Learners prefer to receive information in a particular style. Research has suggested that performance increases occur when information is presented to students in a style that matches their personal preference. A combinational approach incorporating all learning styles proves to be the most effective environment where all students may flourish.

Connie L. Blakemore Teachers that have a better understanding of the brain will be better equipped to design lesson plans that best accommodate all students and their differences. Teachers treat students as unique individuals rather than just a group. Students not taught in accordance to their learning style may lack motivation. Choice in completion of tasks leads to motivational enhancement. “ While brain research will not solve all teaching problems, it can help make students optimally successful when incorporated by an enthusiastic, energetic teacher.”

Brunner and Hill Used Dunn and Dunn model Regardless of academic ability every student can learn, but each learns differently. Study focused on applying learning styles to coaching by examining a New York H.S. wrestling team. Changed practice schedule and layout of facilities to accommodate learning styles of athletes. Team showed much improvement, undefeated and first divisional and league championship in six years, despite large numbers of underclassmen.

Music (2 Studies) Blakemore & Sariscsany Students participate in activities which they prove to be successful in. If physical education environments prove to be discouraging, participation and interest will decrease Music is one example of a motivating factor for students, which taps into different learning styles.

Conclusions Little solid research was found to prove the hypothesis, however many expert opinions and relating research can be applied to this issue. The researchers feel confident that if applied properly and carefully, that diverse learning style incorporation into P.E. lessons will ultimately lead to an increase in motivation, participation and performance.